Ficedula albicollis - sexing autumn

Collared Flycatcher

SEXING:

Sexing Collared Flycatchers during autumn needs a cautious approach since many birds are quite intermediate and variation is marked.

1cy/2cy+: In general, males have darker (jet-black, or nearly so) longer uppertail-coverts and central RR while females show a paler greyish-brown colour. The same difference (but less pronounced) is also visible in the PP. In 1cy the individual variation is rich (intermediate birds are not rare), and only the darkerst/palest birds should be sexed. Adult (2cy+) male show no or less white in outer RR than the other categories.

Probable male, 1cy, August. The longer uppertail-c and central RR are blackish, indicationg a male. However, caution is needed due to individual variation, and a certain male should preferably show darker black colour than this one. Note that, in fresh plumage, the black uppertail-c often show greyish-olive tips. [CP46962]

Female, 1cy, September. The longer uppertail-c and RR are brownish-grey. Intermediate birds should be left unsexed. [CS03714]

More Ficedula albicollis:
Ageing autumn
Ageing spring
Sexing spring
Moult
Identification

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